The Teen Who Sang the National Anthem at Trump's Inauguration Asks to Talk with Him About Trans Rights

Feb 23, 2017

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For Jackie Evancho, President Donald Trump's decision to roll back federal protections for transgender students was personal.

Jackie Evancho performing at Trump's inauguration.

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Taking to Twitter to voice her disapproval on Wednesday, the 16-year-old singer — who performed the national anthem at Trump's inauguration — wrote that she was "obviously disappointed" in Trump's "decision to send the transgender bathroom issue to the states to decide," adding the hashtag #sisterlove in honor of her transgender sister, Juliet Evancho.

After Jackie initially accepted Trump's offer to sing at his inauguration, she received an onslaught of criticism, with many pointing out that her acceptance supported an administration that had openly voiced its opposition to LGBTQ+ equality and rights. However, the singer repeatedly insisted her participation was not meant to be political, but instead a way to "bring people together." At the time, her sister also said she was proud of Jackie for accepting such an "honor."

"The way I look at it is Jackie is singing for our country, and it's an honor for her to be singing in front of so many people," Juliet told CBS. "So I feel that's really where I look at it. And that's where I'm going to leave it right now."

Previously, Juliet wrote about her experience coming out as transgender in an essay for Teen Vogue, in which she stated her family has been extremely supportive. Prior to that, Jackie had dedicated one of her music videos to telling her sister's story.

According to Page Six, Juliet is currently in the process of suing her Pittsburgh school district for deciding not to allow transgender students to use the bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity.

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